Exhaust control means



v Oct. 6, 1936. s. A. DOBYNE ET AL I EXHAUST CONTROL MEANS Filed March 25, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ,EE mmm M 5% r W m VACM/ M N 4 m 1936- S."A.DOBYNE ET AL EXHAUST CONTROL MEANS Fi led. March 25, 1935 2 Sheets-Shet 2 Patented Oct. 6, 1936 UNITED STATES EXHAUST CONTROL MEANS Stevenson A. Dobyne and John C. Dobyne, St. Louis, l Mo.

Application March 25, 1935, Seria'l'No. 13,006

10 Claims.

This invention pertains to means for controlling an air exhaust or the like, such as is used in connection with finishing machines, to carry off the dust or other material produced by a finishing tool or the like during operation on the work. A particular application of theinvention is in shoe finishing machines equipped with such tools as sanding wheels and air exhausts arranged to carry off the dust produced during the operation of the sanding wheel.

In many such installations, a machine may be equipped with a plurality .of tools, such as sanding wheels, finishers and the like, which usually are all driven from the same source of. power. Each of these tools is usually equipped with a hood connected to an exhaust conduit so that the Waste material produced by the operation of the tool may be drawn into the exhaust conduit and carried 01f thereby. Such conduits are often equipped with valves adapted to close the conduit while the tool is not in operation, thereby reducing the amount of power required in the exhaust equipment.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide means whereby the opening of the exhaust may be accomplished automatically without attention on the part of the operator simply by the action of bringing the tool into operation.

Another object is to provide a valve or closure for the exhaust conduit, together with means for controlling the same, actuated simply by bringing the work into engagement with the tool.

Another object is to provide such a device in which the operation of the valve or closure is accomplished by the application of live power from a suitable source as distinguished from power taken from the effort of the operator.

Another object is to provide such a device which will act instantly upon bringing the work into engagement with the tool and will resume its normal position as soon as such engagement is discontinued.

Further objects will appear from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is an end view of a device embodying this invention;

Figure 2 is a section about on line 22 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 1, illustrating another embodiment of this invention; and

Figure 4 is a section on line 44, Figure 3.

' In accordance with this invention, the tool is arranged so as to be movable relatively to its driving means, in such a manner that such movement takes place to a limited extent as soon as the work is brought into engagement with the tool. Such movement is arranged to operate control means whereby the power which drives the machine, or a separate source of. power, is applied to instantly open the exhaust conduit.

Referring to the drawings, I designates a drive shaft of a machine of any suitable character, and 2 designates an operating tool, such as a sanding wheel, mounted on and driven by the shaft I. In the illustration, the arrangement of a shoe finishing machine is shown. Arranged to partially surround the tool 2 is a hood 3, connected with a manifold 4 adapted for connection to an exhaust conduit, not shown.

In the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, the wheel 2 is loosely mounted on a sleeve 5 fixed on the shaft I by means of a set screw 6 or other suitable fastening. The sleeve 5 has a collar 1 provided with a notch 8. The wheel 2 has secured therein, and so as to project therefrom into the notch 8, a pin 9 by means of which the wheel 2 is constrained to rotate with the sleeve 5, but is permitted a certain amount of circumferential movement relative to said sleeve, such movement being limited by the play of the pin 9 in the notch 8. Loosely mounted on the shaft I is an arm I0 having a hub II. The latter is confined between the collar I and a second collar I2 secured to the shaft I by a set screw I3 or other suitable fastening. The arm is loose to turn upon the shaft I, but is confined against endwise movement thereonby the collars I and I2.

Pivoted at I4 on the collar I is a ring I5, which surrounds the shaft I and the hub I I. This ring has a notch I6 into which the pin 9 projects. The ring I5 is also equipped with a friction block I! secured to the ring by screws I8 or similar fastenings and arranged to bear against the hub II under certain conditions which will be explained presently.

Mounted in the manifold 4 is a valve or closure I9 fixed on a shaft to the end of which is fixed an arm 2I. Under normal conditions the arm 2| is held by a spring 22 against a stop 23, which positions the closure I9 athwart the manifold 4 so as toclose the same against passage of air therethrough. The end of the arm 2| is connected to the arm ID by a link 24.

In the operation of'this embodiment of the invention, under normal conditions when the tool 2 is not in use, the spring 22 maintains the closure I9 in closed position. During such operation, the wheel 2 runs freely with the shaft I and the pin 9 assumes its forward position in the notch 8 as the friction block I1 is moved out of engagement With the hub II by centrifugal force. as the work is brought into engagement with the wheel 2, however, for normal operation of the toolon the work, the wheel 2 is retarded in its rotation momentarily, which causes it to turn on the sleeve 5 in a counter-clockwise direction, as seen in Figure 1, assuming the direction of rotation of the wheel 2' as indicated by the arrow.

As soon 1 This movement of the wheel moves the pin 9 to the left of the notch 8, as seen in Figure 1, and by such movement said pin turns the ring I5 on its pivot I4 in such a manner as to bring the friction block I1 into engagement with the hub 'I I. The block I1 is pressed against the hub with .a

pressure dependent upon the pressure with which the work is held against the wheel 2. Frictional engagement between the block I1 and the hub I I transmits the power of the shaft I to the arm ID so as to rotate the latter in the direction of the arrow. This moves the link 24 to the left, Figure 1, thereby rotating the arm 2| and the shaft 20 and moving the closure I9 to open position, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 1. With the closure in this position, the exhaust becomes effective in the hood 3 to carry off the material cast off during the operation of the wheel 2. As soon as the work is removed from engagement with the wheel 2, the spring 22 restores the parts to their normal positions and the draft in the hood is cut off.

In the embodiment of Figures 3 and 4, electric power is applied to operate the closure I9. In this embodiment, the arm 2|, which controls the closure I9, is pivoted to the end of a plunger 25 cooperating with an electro-magnet 26, so that when the magnet is energized the closure I9 will be opened. 7 p

In this case also the wheel 2 is loosely mounted on a sleeve 21 fixed by a set screw 28 to the shaft I. .A spring 29, secured at one end to the wheel 2 and at the other to a collar 30 on the sleeve 21, tends to rotate the wheel 2 in a clockwise direction, as seen in Figure 3, with respect to the sleeve 21. The pin 9 in this case engages a notch 3| in a collar 32 secured to the shaft I in any suitable manner. This collar may be of insulating material andis provided at a reduced portion thereof with a metallic collector ring 33. At a suitable point on its circumference the collar 32 is provided with an upstanding metallic contact 34 connected by a lead 35 or other suitable connection with the collector ring 33. A spring-pressed brush 36, mounted in a suitable bracket 31, bears yieldingly upon the collector ring 33 so as to make electrical contact therewith for the transmission of current. The bracket 31 is mounted upon, but insulated from, the hood 3 or any other suitable portion of the machine. Mounted on the wheel 2 is an electrical contact 38 positioned to engage the contact 34 under certain conditions, as will be pointed out presently. The contact 38 is grounded on the shaft I preferably by a suitable lead 39. An electric circuit 49 passes from a source of supply 4| to the magnet 26 and from said magnet to the bracket 31. The circuit con tinues through said bracket, the brush 36, the collector ring 33, the contact 34 and, when engaged, the contact 38-on the wheel 2 and thence through the shaft I to the frame of the machine from which the circuit returns to the source of supply 4|, as set forth in Figure 3.

'Under normal conditions the contacts 34 and 38 are separated so as to open the electric circuit at this point. The weight of the arm 2| and the plunger 25 turns the plunger I 9 to closed position athwart the manifold 4. With rotation of the wheel 2; .as indicated by the arrow, as soon as the work is brought into engagement with the wheel 2, the latter is retarded and moves relatively to the sleeve 21 in a counter-clockwise direction. This brings the contact 34 into engagement with the contact 38 and closes the electric circuit 40. Closure of this circuit energizes the magnet 26,

which retracts its plunger 25 and thereby opens the closure I9. As soon as engagement between the Work and the wheel 2 is discontinued, the parts return automatically to their normal positions. This is accomplished by the weight of the plunger 25 and the arm 2| to return the closure I9, and the spring 29 turns the wheel 2 on the sleeve 21 so as to break contact between the elements 34 and 38.

It willbe seen that this invention provides an 'improvedway of opening the exhaust connections onamachine of this type. It will be noted that as soon as engagement of the tool with the work is effected, controlling devices are operated to apply an active source of power, such as the power of the shaft I in Figures 1 and 2, and the power of the electric circuit in the embodiment of Figures 3 and 4, to accomplish the movement of the closure I9. By virtue of this'arrangement, the operation of the closure may be effected instantly as soon as engagement with the work is accomplished. The operator is not required to expend any energy of his own in accomplishing these movements. The force applied by the operator is simply that required'to shift the wheel 2 on its sleeve, and such force is no more than would ordinarily be required to hold the work against the tool. In spite of the fact that very little effort is required of the operator, the closure I9 may be of any size and weight and the full power of the machine or of the electric circuit or other source 'may be applied to operate the same. Accordingly, quick and positive operation may be obtained without adding to the effort required of theoperator.

It will be noted that the transmission of power from the source of power through the various connections to the damper I9 to operate'the latter is carried out in such a way that the means for initiating such transmission of power is not affected thereby. To point this out more particularly, it will be noted that, in the embodiment of Figures 1- and 2, the shaft I drives the collar 5, which, acting through the pivot I4, drives the ring I5 in rotation about "the shaft. Under normal conditions, that is, when the tool 2 is inactive, the block I1 is out of engagement with the collar I I, and the connections from the source of power to the damper are open at this point. When, however, the work is brought into engagement with the tool 2, as previously described, the block- I1 is brought into engagement with the collar, so that connections are completed to carry the force or energy from the ring I5 through the 'block I1 to the collar II and thereby to the arm II), from which it is transmitted along the link 24 and the arm 2| to the damper shaft. It will be seen, therefore, that the means for closing the power-transmitting connections, in the present embodiment the pin 9, are in no way affected by the flow of power from the shaft I along the connections pointed out to the damper I9. Similarly, in the embodiment of Figures 3 and 4, a separate source of power 4| is provided, and the connections from this source to the damper are through the various wires 40, the brush 35, and the metallic framework of the machine, so as to close the circuit of the magnet 26, which transmits its power to the plunger 25, which in turn operates the arm 2| so as to move the damper shaft. It will be noted that, under normal or idle conditions, these power-transmitting connections are open at the contacts 34 and 38, which, under normal conditions, are separated. In this case also the pin' 9 acts to move the ring 32 to close these connections, but the pin 9 itself is not affected by and takes no part in the transmission of the power from the source to the damper.

It will be seen, therefore, that, in accordance with this invention, the force or effort required to move the damper is not carried back to the operator. The only force required of him is just suflicient to move the ring IS in Figure 1, or the ring 32 in Figure 3.

While several embodiments of the invention have been illustrated, the device operates on a unitary principle although different specific means are applied for carrying out particular operations. It will be understood that certain individual features or sub-combinations of this invention may be found useful without reference to other features and the employment of such individual features or sub-combinations is contemplated by this invention and within the scope of the appended claims. It will further be understood that any desired combination of the different features illustrated in the different embodiments may be used in accordance with this invention. It is further obvious that various changes may be made, within the scope of the appended claims, in the details of construction without departing from the spirit of this invention; it is to be understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the specific details shown and/ or described.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. In a machine of the character described, a driven tool movable relatively to its driving means, an air conduit adapted to carry off the material cast off by said tool, a closure for said conduit, electric power-driven means separate from said tool drive for operating said closure, and electric contact means operable by such relative movement to render said power-driven means active to move said closure.

2. In a machine of the character described, a tool driven by a driving shaft on the machine for operating on the work, said tool being movable relatively to its driving means, an air conduit adapted to carry off the material cast off by said tool, a closure for said conduit, an actuator movable on said shaft and operatively connected with said closure to open the same, an element pivotally connected with said tool and mounted to move therewith and operable to move said actuator, and means operating upon engagement of said tool with the work to move said element on its pivot to effect frictional driving connection between it and said actuator.

3. In a machine of the character described, a tool driven for operation on the work, said tool being movable relatively to its driving means, an air conduit adapted to carry off the material cast off by said tool, a closure for said conduit, an actuator operatively connected with said closure and movable to operate the same, an electromagnet operatively associated with said actuator to move the same, circuit-closing means operated by such relative movement upon engagement of said tool with the work, and an electric circuit controlled by said circuit-closing means to energize said magnet.

4. In a machine of the character described, a driven tool for operating on the work shiftable relatively to its driving means, an air conduit, a closure for said conduit, a source of power, means for operating said closure, and normally open connections from said source to said operating means actuated upon shift of said tool.

5. In a device of the character described, a member adapted for operation upon the work, means for operating said member, a source of power, an element operatively associated with said member and normally disconnected from said source, a clutch shiftable to connect said source of power to said element to operate the latter, and means operating upon retardation of said member by engagement between it and the work to shift said clutch.

6. In a machine of the character described, a driven tool, an air conduit adapted to carry off the material cast off by said tool, a closure for said conduit, power-driven means for moving said closure, normally open connections between said power means and said closure, and means operable by retardation of said tool upon engagement between said tool and the work to close said connections in order to operate said closure.

7. In a machine of the character described, a driven tool movable relatively to its driving means, an air conduit adapted to carry off the material cast off beyond said tool, a closure for said conduit, power-driven means for moving said closure, normally open connections between said power means and said closure, and means operable by such relative movement to close said connections in order to operate said closure.

8. In a machine of the character described, a driven tool shiftable relatively to its driving means by engagement with the work, an air conduit adapted to carry off the material cast off by said tool, a closure for said conduit, a source of power, a train of connections engageable to apply a force derived from said source to move said closure, and a movable element outside of said train of connections and free of the reaction accompanying such application of force, said element being movable by shift of said tool to effect engagement of said connections.

9. The combination with a machine having a shaft and a tool on said shaft, of an air conduit for carrying off the cuttings from said tool, a normally closed closure for said conduit, power driven means for opening said closure, means controlling the application of power to said power driven means, said control means being movable between effective and ineffective positions, and means impelling said control means to ineffective position, said impelling means disposed to receive a reaction upon application of load to said tool,

and to yield in response to said reaction to release said control means, whereby the reaction overcomes the force of said impelling means and moves the control means to eifect application of power to said power driven means.

10. The combination with a machine having a shaft and a tool on said shaft shiftable thereon, of an air conduit for carrying off the cuttings from said tool, a normally closed closure for said conduit, power driven means for opening said closure, means impelling said tool to normal relative position on said shaft, means controlling the supply of power to said power driven means, said control means being normally in position to disconnect said power driven means from its source of power but movable to position to connect the same, and means for moving said control means to connecting position upon displadement of said tool from said normal relative position thereof on said shaft. 

